Destination comparison
Bahamas vs Florida
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Bahamas | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Caribbean | US East Coast & Florida |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | Nov, May | May, Nov |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | beginner friendly |
| Recommended level | intermediate | beginner |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 16 / 11 kn | 15 / 9 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Aug, Sep, Oct | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | BSD (1:1 with USD) | USD |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $10,500 | $12,000 |
| Luxury tier price | $40,000 | $55,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
Hurricane season June-November. Cold fronts bring Nor'westers November-March. Abacos are bareboat heartland. Short crossing from Florida (~50nm).
- • 3 base marinas
- • 5 must-visit anchorages
- • 31 boats in our fleet database for this region
Florida is the US catamaran gateway: huge fleets, bareboat-friendly checkout, and 300+ days of sun. November-May is the season - 75-80°F, Gulf Stream easterlies and calm Keys water. June-October brings afternoon storms and hurricane risk, but also the lowest prices of the year.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 3 must-visit anchorages
- • 11 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
Bahamas averages 16 knots in winter and 11 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Aug, Sep, Oct — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.
Florida averages 15 knots in winter and 9 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Bahamas is generally rated moderate and Florida is beginner friendly. The difference matters: Bahamas asks more of the skipper — confidence at the helm and some experience with coastal navigation helps.
Cost Comparison
For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):
- Low season: $4,000
- Mid season: $10,500
- High season: $20,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $40,000+
- Low season: $4,800
- Mid season: $12,000
- High season: $28,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $55,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- Exuma Cays — Pig Beach (Big Major Cay); swimming pigs
- Thunderball Grotto — Made famous by James Bond film
- Eleuthera - Glass Window Bridge — Dark Atlantic meets calm Bight
- Abacos - Hope Town — Lighthouse; candy-striped; quaint
- Andros - Androsia Batik — Largest island; blue holes
- Florida Keys Overseas Highway — Key Largo to Key West - 100+ miles of reef-protected, shallow water
- Dry Tortugas National Park — Fort Jefferson and the clearest water in Florida; a 70 nm passage from Key West
- Everglades (Flamingo) — Mangrove wilderness and a real offshore feel just an hour from Miami
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Florida. Charter fleets are abundant, marina staff speak English, checkout sails are standard.
Choose Bahamas. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Bahamas has 2 cultural anchorages vs Florida's 0. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Captain's Take
"The pigs of Big Major Cay have become a global phenomenon — and crowds have grown accordingly. Arrive before 10 AM or after 2 PM for a more intimate visit. The pigs are real, but they're fed by guides and boats — please don't feed them human food (alcohol, in particular, has reportedly made some ill). For ethical wildlife encounters, look at Andros (blue holes, native parrots) or Inagua (40,000+ flamingos at Union Creek Reserve). These islands also need visitors more than Pig Beach does."
"Fort Lauderdale is the least intimidating place in the world to start a catamaran charter - the Intracoastal gives you a protected shakedown and the Keys give you your first ocean miles in tiny steps. The classic week is down the Keys with an overnight in Key West. Keep an eye on the Gulf Stream: it runs north at 2-4kt and decides every passage you make. Summer afternoons bring building storms; plan to be anchored by 15:00."
Timing and Budget: Bahamas vs Florida
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